NETWORK SOCIETY

INTRODUCTION Mobile technology plays a vital role in network society, one of those roles is that it connect the society and allows the process of information to be spread. This essay will focus on how mobile technology connect the network society and some of the roles it plays. The essay will discuss the main topic which is the network society and as defined by Manuel Castells on global sociology.pbwork.com "the network society is made up of networks of production , power and experience, which construct a culture of virtudity in the global flows that transcend time and space (1998:370) ●Yes, mobile and wireless technology is spreading the network society to the most remote places and deepest pores of the world. This means that the world is connected more than before. People are now able to format business partnerships across the world, it may be done by just using social networking. Everywhere information can be from companies such as Google or Facebook to keep the world connected. Reference:www.allafrica.com [accessed 4 April 2013] ●According to Myerson G (2001)"Yes, the physical and digital world will be more highly connected than ever; already today people are able to run in the park and track weight loss and even ovulation for women. Companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon are currently collecting information about each and everyone in the world:their likes, dislikes, interest and many more. Human relationships will no longer be physically dependent and people will be friends and hang out with people all over the world." ● This means that people are now dependent on mobile technology, for example:everywhere people may be found busy on their laptops, it may be for business purposes where major companies interconnect to discuss important business stuffs, despite how far they are from each other but still they are business partners e.g it may be a partnership between U.S.A and South Africa. ●People are now using cellphones or telephones to communicate despite the distance, it is possible for them to connect on daily basis e.g families may have conversations,different schools may set up a meetings via the use of mobile technology to spread information from point A to point B. ●Relationships are now easily formed and people now can have distance relationships, this is possible through the use of devices such as E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Skype and other means. Face to Face communication is no longer that important. ★According to Rheingold H (2003)"cellphones are not the only major part of wireless communication in the society,the recent expansion of wireless Internet has spread in a whole new spectrum of conveniences and concerns. For example wireless conferences and boardroom meetings across airwaves have saved executive much trouble in travelling via airplanes or driving. A company now has the ability to make transactions and decisions with another company halfway around the world without leaving their building. The benefits of such a powerful tool are great for keeping in touch with long distance contacts but as with any other tool there are costs that accompany those benefits." ●The above statement may imply that through the use of wireless network the world has expanded. An individual may build different companies across different countries, hire stuff to work within the companies, though the owner may not be physically available in a meeting it does not mean that the meeting cannot happen instead the use of wireless network may be the solution to keep the meeting going because it allows them to connect. The owner does not have to travel. ●Since modern cellphones have access to Internet it is easier to browse news, there is no need to rely on television. They can use GPS to find locations around the world. CONCLUSION According to the essay it can be concluded that mobile and wireless technology has dominated the world. Now society can rely on them to get information quickly.

THE IMPACT THAT SOCIAL MEDIA HAS ON SOCIETAL AND INDIVIDUAL RELATIONS

Social media has reached and is still reaching the heights since it is mostly used amongst society and individuals for different purposes. This assignment tackle down some of the impacts that social media poses on people's lives, personal, social and relationships. In his book The Global of Social media (2011), Dedria Bryfonski state that" Though social media make the lives of individuals easier especially in having access and exploring some important stuff e.g news at any specific time but there are some impacts that the social media may compress on one's life, these impacts may either be positive or negative". ●Positive impacts that social media has on societal and individual:Reference:Syed Ali on www.humankinetics.com/excerpts ●Friends and Relations Social networks started as a place to connect with friends in an easy and convenient way. It provided the opportunity for individuals to connect with other people to build relationships even though they are unable to meet personally. ●Reducing communication Barriers Allows people to communicate their thoughts and perceptions over different topics with a large number of audiences and raise their voice. New New Media, Second Edition, Paul Levison" The media that allow consumers to become producers are undoubtedly social and far more interactive than older. ●Opportunities for business Social media have become a crucial part of many people. Businesses have noticed the value of social networks in lives and are using different techniques to promote their products. Negative impacts that social media has on societal and individual relations:Reference:Chapman University on Journals.chapman.edu ●Leads to addiction Studies have shown that the extensive use of social media can actually cause addiction to the users. Posting something on their pages throughout the day or checking others posts can become important part of life. ●Leads to Isolation Extreme usage of social media has reduced the level of human interaction. Because of social networks the interaction with other people has become effortless and people have isolated their lives behind their online identities. Face to Face communication has been reduced. ●Affecting productivity Mostly businesses use social media to find and communicate with clients. But it is a great distraction to employees, who may show more interest in what their friends are posting than in their work tasks. ●In his book Alone Together, Rob James discuss two points regarding impacts of social media which are: 1.Isolation "Perhaps the strongest criticism that can be made of social media networks is that they deprive people of human interaction and create virtual substitutes that still maintain emotional distance. Sherry Turkle has argued that social networks only provide illusion of companionship and the kind of interaction people experience and cannot replicate quality interactions, in this context individuals can be in the same room but still devoting others attention to online networks. The potentially damaging effect of this social media use can be tied to the fact that individuals are addicted without realising it". 2.Unity "On the other hand, however, studies are suggesting that social media users are aware of the dangers of being online too much and take a more active approach to their networks, rather than isolating themselves, they use local networks and business groups in order to socialise and develop a broader range of contacts". "This is the ability to view social media as an extension, or rather complement to being more sociable. Social media selectively and making the most of networks as a way to meet friends or learn more about opportunities in a local area can encourage a stronger sense of unity". ●Conclusion Based on the assignment, social media has some few positive and negative points but it does not mean that the social media is a good or bad thing . It stand somewhere in between. So it depends on how different societies and individuals view it, whether they think it is bad or good. The use of social media may turn bad it is over used for inappropriate stuff, so it is better for a society to realise that the good use of social media may lead to positive perspectives and make life a lot more easier. There should be time for social media and a time to socialise physically with other people, this will prevent isolation and build a balance between the two.